-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Ashlee Tomsche walked into the rec center with trepidation . Images of six-pack abs and neon sports bras from the Zumba infomercials she had watched flashed through her mind .

I 'm going to look like a complete fool , she thought .

With her head down , she walked into the aerobics room and took a spot in the back . She was 21 and weighed 331 pounds .

Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance fitness class that blends booty shaking with international music and an intense calorie burn . Since the company launched in 2001 , Zumba classes have spread to 14 million people in 150 countries , according to Zumba.com .

Tomsche 's first class was hard . She had to stop several times to catch her breath . But she came back the next day . And then again the next . A year later , she had dropped 123 pounds , six dress sizes and more than 10 inches from her waist .

`` It 's just crazy , '' the Arkansas City , Kansas , resident says . `` We 're having too much fun . ''

Comfort food

Tomsche was an overweight child , but it was n't until her best friend committed suicide when she was 16 that she started packing on the pounds .

`` It really hit me hard , and I turned to food for comfort , '' she remembers . `` It was always there . ''

She indulged in chips and ice cream , and drank soda by the gallon . She would eat an entire pizza by herself in one sitting . Every time she binged on junk food , she felt sick and swore she 'd never do it again . But overeating had already taken its toll .

She did n't go out because she was n't confident in her body . Instead she came home right after work to snack in front of the TV . Once in a while she would hit the gym to walk on the treadmill , but it bored her more than empowering her .

`` I knew I needed to lose weight , but I never knew where to start , '' she says . `` I would try something for a few months and give up . ''

Then she found Zumba .

Just dance

Instructor Maria Venegas remembers when Tomsche first tried her Zumba class . Tomsche wore baggy clothing and seemed unsure in her body .

`` She would go and sit down about a third -LRB- of the -RRB- way into class , '' Venegas says . `` But she would get right back up and continue to do what she could . ''

Venegas teaches seven Zumba classes a week in Arkansas City in addition to working as an office manager and professional photographer .

`` I used to think it was my kids that kept me young , '' the single mother of two says . `` But it has been my venture to become a Zumba instructor that has -LRB- been -RRB- the fountain of youth , for myself and many others . ''

Venegas creates her own routines , incorporating music from popular artists such as Michael Jackson and Ne-Yo into her classes . In a typical hourlong class , participants burn between 300 and 650 calories .

`` Every class is always different , '' Tomsche says . `` I 'm addicted . ''

Tomsche loves Zumba so much she did n't even realize at first she was losing weight . But after four months , she had dropped 20 pounds and was getting compliments from her classmates . The attention encouraged her to keep going .

`` Now -LRB- she -RRB- walks in with a big smile ... shoulders back and head up high , '' Venegas says .

Small town , big inspiration

Tomsche tracks her daily calories on the MyFitnessPal app and drinks protein shakes for breakfast . Giving up junk food has been hard , but she splurges occasionally on thin-crust pizza or Nutella on whole wheat waffles .

Tomsche does Zumba five to six times a week and tries to stay active the rest of the day . Her hard work has paid off -- she weighs 208 pounds and wears a size 14 pants .

`` The simplest things in life have become easier , '' Tomsche wrote in a CNN iReport submission . `` I do n't feel like I ca n't breathe when I bend over to tie my shoes . I 'm not out of breath when I walk up and down the halls at work , and even sleeping is easier since I do n't have all that excess weight pressing down on me . ''

Venegas offered to do a professional photo shoot with Tomsche in January , and they posted the pictures online . Venegas ' Zumba classes quickly filled up . She says Tomsche has inspired their small community .

Tomsche is just happy she 's gotten her smile back .

`` I never thought coming from a town of 12,000 -LRB- people -RRB- that I would be an inspiration for anyone , '' she says . `` It 's just given me so much confidence in myself . ''

Her advice for others who are struggling to lose weight ? Find a workout that you love .

`` It can be done , '' she says simply .

Have you lost weight ? Share your story on iReport .

@highlight

Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance fitness class with an intense calorie burn

@highlight

Ashlee Tomsche lost six dress sizes and 10 inches from her waist doing Zumba

@highlight

Tomsche also tracked her calories on a mobile app